University era dawns for Midlands

Today Friday, October 1, will be a monumental day for the midlands as the new Technological University of Shannon: Midlands Midwest officially comes into being.

And with it, Athlone Institute of Technology and Limerick Institute of Technology will cease to exist

The historic occasion will be marked at a ceremony to take place in the Athlone International Arena and Millennium Theatre, Moylish, in Limerick, today (Friday).

Minister of State for Skills and Further Education Niall Collins and inaugural TUS President Professor Vincent Cunnane will be among the keynote speakers for the ceremony taking place across two campuses and streamed live to all six.

The establishment of the technological university comes following the move by Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Simon Harris in July to sign an order dissolving Athlone and Limerick Institutes of Technology and in their place the establishment of the new Technological University of the Shannon: Midlands Midwest as of October 1.

As a result from Friday more than 14,000 students and 1,200 staff across the Midlands and Midwest will be teaching, learning and researching at the newly-designated TUS: Midlands Midwest across campuses in Athlone, Limerick (Moylish and Limerick School of Art and Design, Clare Street), Clonmel, Ennis and Thurles.

Technological University status was granted to AIT/LIT in May, following an application by the institutes in November 2020.

According to President designate of TUS, Professor Vincent Cunnane, how the new technological university is rooted in its local communities and economies will bring a new beginning to the Midlands and Midwest. “The official opening will be a pivotal and momentous occasion that celebrates and recognises the great collaborative effort that has brought us to the point of becoming a Technological University,” he stated. “It is a tremendous achievement that will truly transform and bolster our region both from an education and economic perspective for generations to come.

“TUS will be distinct in its orientation towards the economic, social and cultural life of its local communities and will bring a new beginning to the Midlands and Midwest.”

The opening will take place in two locations in Athlone International Arena and Moylish, while live streaming, video links and interviews will complement short videos of TUS students, lecturers and local business people who will bring to life the vision, ambition and impact of TUS.